Customer Reviews

George Strait - 20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Oh man am I disappointed. I bought the album because I have everything George Strait has ever produced, and for no other reason. I almost winced signing the credit card receipt.

George Strait is the greatest country singer of his generation (and probably all time, if you ask me). He deserves far better than this. If you want to see what a real "Millenium Collection" should look like, buy "The Essential Earl Thomas Conley." THAT is how you do it! Not this.

All of the songs on here are great. The problem is, they left so many others off. I sure would love for someone to explain to me why "Chill of an Early Fall" has never had any releases appear on a Greatest Hits Album. The Millenium Collection really dropped the ball by not including songs from that album, the best one George has ever done. Considering the quality of his work that is saying something.

If you don't happen to have many of his albums then this CD will do well for you. However, you would be better served buying the Greatest Hits Albums produced by MCA, "Chill of an Early Fall," "Pure Country," "Easy Come, Easy Go," and everything from 1994 on. The Millenium Collection is a great disservice to a performer who revolutionized Country & Western music.

Vote with your wallet and stick with George's MCA albums.

Do not get me wrong the music that actually made it on to this cd is really good and that is not the problem. But like another reviewer said how can a George Strait collection like this be missing one of his best songs ever Amarillo by Morning! I think most George Strait fans have these songs already I have these on Strait out of the box, the original albums, and on greatest hit packages. 20th Century Masters sure left out alot of good songs like Ocean Front Property and so many more and what about after 1993 it seems on this collection that's the year George Strait stopped singing because nothing later than 1993 is on this cd. If own everything by George you do not need this because you just wasting your money.

I actually heard this album for the first time when it was featured on a long flight and I bought it as soon as I landed. Like other CDs in the Millenium Collection, this is essentially a sampling of George Strait's body of work through about the mid-1990s. As a result, it contains many of the songs that made him country music's biggest name (if you follow country music, that is) such as Ace in the Hole, Love Without End Amen, and All My Exes Live in Texas.

This is basically country music in as raw a form as you can get it - if you range towards the Shania Twain/Tim McGraw end of the country music spectrum there's a good chance you may not like this CD. If you are someone who is a total Strait addict and you own every major recording he's ever done, this CD will be a disappointment. But if you really like his new stuff (which was compiles in Latest Greatest Straitest Hits) and you want to get a feel for why he became famous, this is the CD for you.

Last tuesday when I saw this in the paper I thought not another 20th century masters low budget sellout greatest hits package. George strait isn't one of todays few hit wonders. This guy has a ton of good songs. This doesn't even have all "Amarillo by morning," I highly recommend ethier and or both greatest hits 1 and 2 and latest straitest greatest hits. Atleast there not doing it to Willie Nelson! Bottom line don't waste your hard earned dollar!

This "Best of" set from the Millennium Collection is a good introduction to George Strait. His delivery is expressive. His strength is in finding good material. Sentimental songs like "Love Without End, Amen" about a father & son that Strait nails tug at the heartstrings, "Let me tell you a secret about a father's love..." "I've Come to Expect It From You" has an addictive tune filled with romantic disappointment, "I guess I should thank my unlucky stars that I'm alive & that you're the way you are." "Easy Come, Easy Go" is another Dean Dillon-penned track ("I've Come to Expect It From You" & "Famous Last Words") whose swaying melody fits like a glove. "If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin')" is Texas swing that sounds like Hank Williams' little brother. The liner notes in the booklet indicate that all of these selections were #1 Country hits. While there is obviously a lot more Strait music out there, but this is a good way to shake hands with George Strait. Enjoy!

As a huge country music fan, I have always loved George Strait. Over the years, he has managed to turn out hit after hit after hit. He is one of country's best stars, and many country fans refer to him as 'King George.' And in 2002, he was awarded a compilation in UMG's 20th Century Masters series.

This set spans 1983-1994, a period where he was on country radio stations almost every day (he still is). He was at his peak during this time, and this set does a great job documenting it.

Read on for the positives and negatives.

Positives

-Most of the big Strait singles are here. 'You Look So Good In Love,' 'Famous Last Words,' 'Baby Blue,' and 'Easy Come, Easy Go' all appear on this set.

-The sound quality is superb!

Negatives

-THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY SONGS MISSING! Where are 'Check Yes Or No,' 'Adalida,' 'Unwound,' 'Right Or Wrong,' 'Fool Hearted Memory,' 'Marina Del Rey,' 'Amarillo By Morning' and his great duet with Frank Sinatra 'Fly Me To The Moon'?

George Strait stayed true to MCA his entire career, so it was easy for UMG to issue yet another Strait compilation. But since he had numerous hits that got radio airplay, it's virtually impossible to pick 12 songs for a compilation.

Overall, you'd best buy '22 More Hits' or 'Strait Out Of The Box.' But my advice is, unless you are an easily-pleased Strait fan or a die-hard who has to have everything Strait ever put out, just avoid this.

Recommended, but only for really casual or die-hard Strait fans.

Take George's "Ten Strait Hits" in its original running order, drop 2 tracks ("Overnight Success" and "Drinking Champagne"), tack on four tracks at the end and -- viola -- "The Best of George Strait: The Millennium Collection." Fine music, great price, but docked a star for redundancy.

The "eco-friendly packaging"? How often do you toss your CDs in the recycle bin? Isn't the whole point of CDs that they are supposed to last a long, long time? This packaging won't last a month.

GEORGE STRAIT IS COUNTRY, THE REAL THING. HE KNOWS WHAT FANS OF COUNTRY LIKE AND HE PRODUCES IT. BEING FROM HOUSTON WE GET TO SEE A LOT OF GEORGE AND HE IS A DOWN TO EARTH FELLOW. THIS ALBUM IS ONE OF THE BEST, BUT HE HASN'T PUT OUT A BAD ALBUM. GEORGE HASN'T GIVEN IN TO THE NEW COUNTRY AND THANK GOODNESS. HE IS SIMPLY GEORGE, A GOOD OLE BOY FROM TEXAS AND DOESN'T FORGET HIS ROOTS. I RANK HIM UP THERE WITH GEORGE JONES, RAY PRICE, MARTY ROBINS, HANK WILLIAMS, SR..

Take George's "Ten Strait Hits" in its original running order, drop 2 tracks ("Overnight Success" and "Drinking Champagne"), tack on four tracks at the end and -- viola -- "The Best of George Strait: The Millennium Collection." Fine music, great price, but docked a star for redundancy.

When I buy George Strait music, I am getting it to give away for a gift. The person I gave this to appreciated getting it! J. Hall